Iranian President Denies Allegations of Assassination Plot Against Trump
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has firmly rejected claims that Iran plotted to assassinate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, labeling the accusations as baseless and part of a campaign to fuel “Iranophobia.”
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Pezeshkian dismissed the allegations, saying, “None whatsoever,” when asked if Iran had planned such an act. He emphasized that Tehran has never pursued such actions and has no intention of doing so in the future. “We have never attempted this to begin with, and we never will,” he stated.
The allegations stem from charges filed by the U.S. Justice Department in November 2024, accusing an Iranian national of collaborating with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in a foiled plot to assassinate Trump. The Justice Department also accused two individuals of targeting an Iranian-American journalist critical of Tehran.
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Link to Soleimani’s Death Denied
U.S. authorities claim the alleged plot was part of Iran’s efforts to avenge the 2020 killing of General Qasem Soleimani, who died in a U.S. drone strike ordered by Trump. However, Pezeshkian dismissed the accusations, framing them as part of a broader effort by Israel and other powers to tarnish Iran’s image.
“Iran is open to dialogue,” Pezeshkian said, adding that the issue lies in honoring commitments made during negotiations rather than a lack of communication. He cited instances where Tehran had engaged in talks with Washington, only to see agreements go unfulfilled.
Assurances of Peaceful Intentions
Pezeshkian highlighted that Iran had sent a written assurance to the U.S. via Swiss diplomats in October 2024, reiterating its peaceful intentions. “We have never sought to harm Trump,” he stressed.
This interview marks Pezeshkian’s first major engagement with international media since Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.
Deteriorating US-Iran Relations
Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high. Relations soured during Trump’s first term when he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Efforts by the Biden administration to revive the deal through indirect negotiations did little to ease hostilities.
Pezeshkian also dismissed accusations of Iranian cyber operations targeting the U.S., pointing to long-standing grievances, including the 1953 CIA-backed coup in Iran and Soleimani’s assassination.
Iran continues to call for constructive dialogue while criticizing external interference in its internal affairs, signaling a desire for diplomacy amid ongoing tensions.
